Kerala Minister for Diaspora K.C. Joseph will visit Saudi Arabia and Kuwait this week to monitor arrangements for the smooth transfer of Keralites who have to leave these countries due to their new labour laws.

In a bid to allay India's concerns over the controversial 'Nitaqat' labour law, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal today said "procedures" are being taken in the "best interest of Indian workers".

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on Saturday ordered a three-month delay to a crackdown on migrant workers which has led to thousands of deportations, to give foreigners in the kingdom a chance to sort out their papers.

The Centre has responded positively to Kerala's request to bear full ticket fares of expatriates in Saudi Arabia wishing to return to the state due to the implementation of a new labour law in that country, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh today urged the Indian expatriate community not to panic after reports in media claimed Saudi Arabia plans to reserve 10 per cent jobs for locals, a move which will hit over 3 lakh low- and semi-skilled Indian workers especially from Kerala.

Kerala Minister for Diaspora K.C. Joseph will visit Saudi Arabia and Kuwait this week to monitor arrangements for the smooth transfer of Keralites who have to leave these countries due to their new labour laws.

In a bid to allay India's concerns over the controversial 'Nitaqat' labour law, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal today said "procedures" are being taken in the "best interest of Indian workers".

Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on Saturday ordered a three-month delay to a crackdown on migrant workers which has led to thousands of deportations, to give foreigners in the kingdom a chance to sort out their papers.

The Centre has responded positively to Kerala's request to bear full ticket fares of expatriates in Saudi Arabia wishing to return to the state due to the implementation of a new labour law in that country, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh today urged the Indian expatriate community not to panic after reports in media claimed Saudi Arabia plans to reserve 10 per cent jobs for locals, a move which will hit over 3 lakh low- and semi-skilled Indian workers especially from Kerala.